Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division

Humber Bay Parks Project

Community Resource Group
Terms of Reference
1. Background
Starting in 2016, the City of Toronto will begin planning and designing improvements to Humber
Bay Parks, starting with a Master Plan in 2016 and a new park Pavilion with a target opening
date of 2018. These projects will have a significant and positive impact on the Parks and will
guide future improvements in the parks in future years. Meaningful public and stakeholder input
is vital to the success of the project. This Community Resource Group is one of the
components of a community engagement process that will be developed by the Master Plan
consultants.

2. Purpose
This Community Resource Group is established to provide input, guidance and advice for the
Humber Bay Parks Master Plan and Pavilion. This Terms of Reference includes guidelines for
how the Humber Bay Parks Project Community Resource Group (HBPP-CRG) will operate and
when meetings will take place.
This document may be amended as the project progresses. Any amendments to the Terms of
Reference (TOR) will be done in consultation with the Project Team and Community Resource
Group members.

3. Mandate
The Humber Bay Parks Project Community Resource Group will meet to provide ongoing
advice to the Project Team (City Staff and Consultants) during the design phase of the Project.
The primary goal of the Community Resource Group is to represent the community, business
groups and park/trail users, and provide input towards the successful completion of the design
phase of the Project. Specifically, towards the completion of this goal, the Community Resource
Group will:

Provide an open and equitable forum for discussion;

Provide advice, input, and suggestions on project design ideas;

Review and provide comments on preliminary design concepts, and project priorities;
and

Identify and discuss potential issues, challenges and opportunities and assist the Project
Team in developing mechanisms to identify satisfactory outcomes.

Key components of the Humber Bay Parks Project that will require input include but are not
limited to the following:
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Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division

Guiding principles for Humber Bay Parks design

Natural heritage, ecology & habitat
Cultural heritage
Public use & needs
Park program, elements, features and priorities
Pavilion program, elements and features
Transportation & Trail Improvements
Accessibility

The Community Resource Group will have input on establishing project priorities for overall
design but not include input on design details, finishes and technical drawings or construction.

4. Decision Making
The purpose of the Community Resource Group is to provide input, advice, and suggestions to
the Project Team. The CRG is not a decision-making body. However, members of the
Community Resource Group are encouraged to provide input, advice, and suggestions towards
the Projects design phase with the expectation that the Project Team will consider this
information in the overall decision-making process.
The Community Resource Group is encouraged to appropriately discuss and debate ideas
towards the generation of consensus. If after a period of time, no consensus can be reached,
differences will be noted and provided to the Project Team with rationales.

5. Membership and Selection Criteria

All individuals currently residing or doing business in the Project area or having a stake in the
outcome of the Project are eligible for membership in the Community Resource Group. The
application process will be conducted in a transparent manner. Application to the Resource
Group does not necessarily guarantee membership. Additional opportunities for Project
feedback are available through broader public engagement mechanisms.
Membership in the Resource Group is for the duration of the design phase of the Project,
expected to be completed by December 2016.
The Community Resource Group is composed of 20-25 members, excluding staff and the City
Councillor for Ward 6, representing a range of interests and expertise related to Humber Bay
Park East and West. Membership aims to include a balance of representation from:
Park and trail users;
Local residents;
Community and resident organizations;
Local businesses and institutions;
Local professionals with skills/training/experience in park planning, park design, or
landscape architecture;
Environmental groups (e.g. Friends of Humber Bay Park); and
Waterfront land users (e.g. Etobicoke Yacht Club, Mimico Cruising Club).
CRG membership will be formed on a voluntary basis; no compensation will be provided.
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Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division

6. Roles and Responsibilities

It is understood that the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is the owner of the
Humber Bay Park East and West and that the City of Toronto (City) is the manager of the lands.
To this extent, certain guidelines and restrictions will be adhered to, as set out by these two
authorities.
The following are the roles and responsibilities of the Community Resource Group Members,
Project Team, and Facilitator:
Community Resource Group Members:

Adhere to all aspects of the Community Resource Group Terms of Reference;

Behave in a manner which facilitates an environment of open and equitable discussion
and communication;
Be courteous and respectful of all other members of the Resource Group, public and
Project Team;
Be open-minded and considerate of different viewpoints;
Provide input, advice, and suggestions to the Project Team in a manner which promotes
discussion and creative thinking;
Ask questions of other members of the Community Resource Group or Project Team,
where necessary, to clarify understanding of an issue;
Communicate openly with the organization you represent (if applicable) and bring
forward all input, advice, and suggestions;
Note distinction between organizational and personal opinions (if applicable);
Bring a unique perspective to the project;
Be prepared for all meetings;
Attend all meetings; and
Declare any conflicts of interest (if applicable) for matters under consideration.

Project Team (City Staff and Consultants)

Adhere to all aspects of the Community Resource Group Terms of Reference;

Keep Community Resource Group members up-to-date with Project design progress in
accessible, easy-to-understand format and language;
Avoid the use of jargon and define technical terms where necessary;
Treat all questions posed with respect, and provide clear and straightforward answers;
Provide a clear understanding of how input, advice, and suggestions will be used by the
Project Team; and
Balance input from different viewpoints to ensure an inclusive environment;

Facilitator (Consultant)

Adhere to all aspects of the Community Resource Group Terms of Reference;

Facilitate Community Resource Group meetings by:
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Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division

o keeping sessions on time and on track;

o ensuring openness and equality;
o ensuring respectful and productive meetings and group dialogue; and
o balance participation between all members.
Record all inputs at meetings, provide clarification, advice and suggestions to the
Community Resource Group and prepare minutes.

7. Meetings
a) Chair: The working group will be co-chaired by Netami Stuart, Project Coordinator,
Landscape Architect and the Public Engagement Consultant.
b) Frequency of Meetings: It is anticipated that the Community Resource Group will meet
five (5) times during the project design period. Three additional meetings may be
scheduled prior to May 2016 to address specific questions related to the Pavilion design.
Specific meeting dates will be agreed upon by the working group. Ad hoc subcommittee
meetings may be organized as needed.
c) Meeting Minutes: An agenda for the meeting and minutes of the previous meeting will
be sent out one week prior to the meeting. Members of the working group will be
encouraged to contribute to the agenda. The Public Engagement Consultant will take
notes at each meeting. The consultant will document key comments, questions,
responses and action items. Finalized meeting notes and other materials will be posted
publicly on the project web page.
d) Quorum: At least 50% of working group members must be present at a meeting to make
final decisions. Final decisions cannot be made without quorum.
e) Decision Making: Decisions will be made by consensus.
f)

Absences: If a member cannot attend a meeting, he/she will send a representative to

participate on their behalf.

8. Staff
The Humber Bay Parks Project Community Resource Group will be coordinated by:
Netami Stuart
Public Engagement Coordinator
The Humber Bay Parks Project Team Staff includes:
Lori Ellis, Senior Project Coordinator, PFR
Peter Klambauer, Senior Project Coordinator, PFR
Netami Stuart, Landscape Architect Project Coordinator
Susan Korrick, Supervisor, PFR
Dave Nosella, Project Manager, PFR
Nancy Gaffney, TRCA Waterfront Specialist
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Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division

9. Draft Meeting Schedule

Following is a draft schedule of meetings. Note that the schedule is subject to change, but will
be confirmed at the end of each meeting.

Meeting 1
Meeting 2
Meeting 3
Meeting 4
Meeting 5

Meeting Objective
Site & Neighbourhood Information
Gathering
Review Site Inventory & Studies
Concept Design Review
Design Development Review
Final Design Review

Timing
Feb-March 2016
April-May 2016
June-July 2016
August-September 2016
November 2016

Three additional meetings may take place before May, 2016 that will focus on Pavilion Design.
These meetings will be arranged at the first Community Resource Group meeting.

______________________________________________________________________
I agree to these terms of Reference as they may be revised from time to time and agree to take
part as a member of the Humber Bay Parks Project Community Resource Group.

Name:

Affiliation:

Date: